Time away from it all is necessary for your sanity. And now that you have more wiggle room to take vacation time off, you want to take advantage.
Boomers spend the most on luxury travel, more than any other generation before us. But are you tired of all the typical vacation trips and destinations? Want to do something different?
You can plan an eclectic vacation that’s just right for you — and here are some ideas for doing just that.
What kind of vacation do you want?
The first step is identifying exactly what you want to do with your time. Reconnect with nature? Immerse yourself in a romantic language? Get lost in an open-air market?
Instead of discovering a picturesque setting, use image apps like Pinterest to set the ambiance for your trip. Also, think about who is going, and what’s appropriate for them. Are you taking your kids along for the ride? Or are you going all in with your friends on the ultimate vacation hike?
How will you get to your vacation destination?
From there, it’s the logistics. Kayak allows you to look at various airfare options all at once, so it’s a good place to start if you want to visit multiple locales in one trip. Sometimes booking portals like CheapOAir will post promotions on their Twitter feed, so look out for those as well as other social media pages. If you take an eco-tour, or a more organized route, those organizations should send you to their recommended vacation travel outlets.
Don’t be put off by the all-inclusive packages and prices — you don’t have to be tied down to one location unless you want to be. Just don’t let that over-zealous concierge get in the way of your explorations.
Trip Advisor can be your best friend, but it can also be a hindrance through its reviews and star ratings. Go with your gut. Not every person on the review site is like you – looking for a life-changing journey. That hotel may be unacceptable by their standards, but maybe it’s just what a wanderer like you needs for your vacation trip.
For a memorable vacation – Go for it!
Don’t believe the hype, either: Some attractions are great just to say you’ve seen it (like the Eiffel Tower.) But if you don’t think it matches up with what you want, then skip it. Why waste time seeing Costa Rica’s tourism traps when you can weave through tiny mountain roads and see epic views of jungle landscape?
Finally, to get the most out of your escape, consider taking all your plans — and throwing them out of the window. Don’t worry about what your family and friends say. This is your great adventure, and you’ve waited a long time for it!
Safety first
When you do go, be safe while you’re out and about. Be sensible about where you are, who you talk to and what you tell them. At the same time, you never know what you will find simply chatting up locals at a village bar, or while sharing a midday walk to a Buddhist temple. To find your way off the beaten path, you have to step a little off-road.
Where’s YOUR next vacation destination?
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